These are desperate times for a proposed constitutional amendment to end Florida's egregious write-in loophole.

"The people who like election scams are fighting back," said Dave Aronberg, state attorney for Palm Beach County. "It's going to be a close vote."

If you've been denied the opportunity to vote in a primary election because of a write-in candidate — and this was true for more than 1 million Floridians in 2016 — it is imperative you speak up.

We simply cannot allow this sham of a statute to remain on Florida's books.

As the law stands, all Florida voters (regardless of party) are allowed to cast ballots in a primary race when candidates have no opposition outside their party.

However, a write-in candidate effectually closes the primary to all voters except those of the same party as the main candidates.

The loophole has allowed friends (and even family members) of incumbents to file as write-in candidates, thereby denying large blocs of voters the right to vote in primary elections. It's especially problematic in counties dominated by one political party — and it's important to note Democrats and Republicans are equal-opportunity abusers of the loophole.

Write-ins are almost always bogus candidates. They are not required to pay a filing fee or gather signatures to run. Once they have registered, the vast majority don't campaign, articulate their views or attend political forums. Their singular objective is to close the primary — often to the benefit of one of the real candidates.

The solution? Proposal 11 — originally submitted by Aronberg, a Democrat — which is now being championed by Palm City resident and Constitution Revision Commission member Sherry Plymale, a Republican. It's a refreshing bipartisan effort.

Proposal 11 would "authorize all qualified electors, regardless of party affiliation, to vote in a partisan primary election for an office if all the candidates for the office have the same party affiliation and the winner will be opposed only by one or more write-in candidates in the general election."

There are 37 members on the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years.

The week of April 16, commissioners will consider a final vote on Proposal 11. Twenty-two votes are needed to place the proposal on the November ballot. Only 20 supported it during a preliminary vote in March.

"Currently, I do not have enough votes to get it to the ballot," Plymale said.

This is no time for silence from those who want to see the demise of this bad law.

The following commissioners were not present during the preliminary vote March 29 on Proposal 11. Encourage each one to vote yes.
•Pam Bondi: Pam.Bondi@flcrc.gov
•Jose Felix Diaz: Jose.Diaz@flcrc.gov
•Tom Grady: Tom.Grady@flcrc.gov
•Darlene Jordan: Darlene.Jordan@flcrc.gov

The 13 commissioners below initially voted "no." Encourage each one to support the proposal.

Commissioner Arthenia Joyner, a former Democratic state senator from Tampa, has been one of the most vocal opponents of Proposal 11. Would you be surprised to learn Joyner benefited from a write-in candidate during her political career? After winning the Democratic primary in her first Senate campaign in 2006, Joyner faced only a write-in candidate in the general election.

"This is all about stopping election scams," Aronberg said.

Speak up. The voters of Florida deserve the opportunity to decide this issue for themselves.

Treasure Coast Newspapers is part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, which includes The News-Press.